In the month of May, Real Madrid already had a plan for the next season: if Espanyol were relegated, Joselu would be his ‘option B’ for the forward. Mariano’s contract ended in June 2023, and the forward of the Catalan team was chosen for the role of substitute ‘9’ in Ancelotti’s team. At that point, Benzema continued to be the reference for the whites also in their next roadmap…
However, script change. Benzema’s departure to Arabia was suddenly precipitated, and his number and his emptiness worried an orphaned squad without Karim. After Benzema’s farewell, the arrivals of Bellingham and Joselu. None of them chose their number, but already on the fifth day they fill in their goal information.
Against the Royal Society, a pure ‘killer’ header that lifts Madrid up the table, stretches him as a leader and reinforces Joselu in Ancelotti’s team. The Italian coach did not expect him to start, and another turn of events. Vinicius’ injury caused the Galician’s role to mutate instantly, and he has fulfilled from the first moment.
In the 20th minute of Celta – Real Madrid de Balaídos, Joselu entered the green to replace Vini, and his contribution was vital for the three points: assist to Bellingham and prestigious victory. Then, the goal against Getafe at the Bernabéu, and again this Sunday against Real Sociedad.
Two goals and an assist in the three games that his teammates needed him in finishing. He has already earned the affection of his fans and the absolute respect of his coach. “Joselu is a guarantee in the attacking game. He has a very good aerial ball, he plays with his back. He is very dangerous in the opponent’s area,” Ancelotti commented at a press conference.
“Joselu is very important in the squad because we don’t have any player with these characteristics and in past years we didn’t have someone like that”, continued the Real Madrid coach. The Italian opted for Joselu to fill the gap in the eleven left by Vinicius, and in the last three days his contribution is comparable to those of Vini and Benzema. His goals have been worth points.
To put Joselu’s impact in perspective: in his first five games for Real Madrid this season, he has already equaled Mariano’s numbers in his last three seasons in white.. Two goals and one assist. At this level, he looks more closely at Karim Benzema’s numbers, who scored 31 goals and distributed 6 assists in his last season as a merengue.
In addition to his role on the field, Joselu is already very loved in the locker room. He came in with the support of Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vázquez, two heavyweights in the Madrid squad, and soon got his teammates into his pocket. They trust him and are happy that Joselu is fulfilling his dream of succeeding in the club that marked him the most.
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